SOUTH PLAINFIELD, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 18, 2005--Inplane Photonics has been selected as a key supplier to Lockheed Martin's U.S. Air Force contract for the Highly Integrated Photonics (HIP) Program. Under this contract Inplane will be developing advanced fiber optic network subsystems and modules for subsequent transition into current and emerging tactical combat aircraft. In this phase of the program, Inplane will focus on the delivery of integrated optical circuits for evaluation, measurement and ultimate system integration by Lockheed Martin.

This multi-phase HIP program will develop key technologies to overcome existing constraints with respect to the integration and packaging aspects of the current generation of photonic devices. The Air Force contracted with Lockheed Martin to define the technology path for fabricating monolithic chips containing key optical components. Lockheed Martin will also design, develop and test a demonstration system that is planned to be flown on an F-16 fighter during a future phase of the program.

"Inplane is very pleased to have this opportunity to work closely with Lockheed Martin in advancing broadband optical networking for Air Force applications," said Al Wargo, CEO of Inplane Photonics. "As an industry leader in photonics integration for defense markets, we are thrilled to be able to support the HIP Program with our optical "system on a chip" solutions."

Tek-Ming Shen, VP of Product Management for Inplane Photonics, added, "Planar lightwave circuit (PLC) technology has reached its maturity stage for commercialization and Inplane has mastered the versatility of this platform to provide the first integrated optical system on a chip for the Air Force HIP Program."

About Inplane Photonics: Inplane Photonics, Inc. is an optical integration company, located in South Plainfield, NJ that designs and manufactures optical "system on a chip" solutions for both commercial and defense markets which include telecommunications, LAN/WAN networks, avionics and shipboard systems. Applications that utilize Inplane's advanced optical integration platform encompass optical networking, amplification, signal routing, sensors and inertial navigation.